September 2025 Visa Bulletin Keeps EB-5 Set-Aside Categories Current
The September 2025 Visa Bulletin, released by the U.S. Department of State, brings stability in the EB-5 category but also includes an important warning about the approaching end-of-year visa limits. While there are no changes in Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing across EB-5 categories this month, the Department of State has signaled that some employment-based categories may soon become “unavailable” if annual caps are reached before the fiscal year closes on September 30.
For EB-5 investors, the news is clear: set-aside categories remain current across all countries, continuing to offer the fastest route to a U.S. Green Card. But with fiscal year limits looming, this open window will not last forever.
Employment-Based Category Updates
The September 2025 Visa Bulletin shows no changes to Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing across all employment-based (EB) categories compared to August.
In EB-5, the unreserved category remains unchanged, and the three set-aside categories—rural TEA, high-unemployment TEA, and infrastructure—are still current for every country. For investors, this means no waiting for a visa number once an I-526E petition is approved in these categories, provided they file while “current” status is still in place.
EB-5: Unreserved vs. Set-Aside Categories
Unreserved visas are allocated to projects outside the RIA-created set-aside categories. These are subject to country-specific demand, which for countries like China and India can mean waiting several years for a visa number.
Set-aside visas, on the other hand, are divided into three subcategories:
Rural TEA (20% of annual EB-5 visas)
High-Unemployment TEA (10%)
Infrastructure (2%)
These categories’ current status offers a significant time advantage, particularly for applicants from countries with existing unreserved backlogs.
Department of State’s Annual Limit Warning
This month’s bulletin includes a cautionary note from the Visa Office:
“There has been a steady increase in both USCIS and Department of State demand patterns for employment-based visas during the fiscal year. As a result, the Visa Office expects to reach FY-2025 category limits in most employment-based preference categories during August and September. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category ‘unavailable’, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.”
In practical terms, this means that if a category’s quota is used up before September 30, it will close until the start of the new fiscal year in October.
In the September 2025 visa bulletin, some family-sponsored categories advanced slightly, including F2B Mexico, F2B Philippines, and F3 Philippines. Most other family-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing remained unchanged.
How Arcasia Advisors Can Help
For EB-5 applicants, filing under a reserved set-aside category project today could mean avoiding years of waiting in the unreserved line. However, demand is rising, and as more investors enter these categories, the “current” advantage will not last indefinitely.
Arcasia Advisors works closely with international EB-5 investors to ensure they select the right project, file at the optimal time, and avoid common pitfalls that can delay or derail an application. Our team combines in-depth EB-5 knowledge with an understanding of local markets, helping clients make confident, informed decisions.
With set-aside categories still current and the fiscal year drawing to a close, the best time to secure your place in this year’s allocation is now.
Contact us today to explore your options and take the next step toward your U.S. residency.
